South Africa’s biggest ship repair and oil rig servicing company, Dormac, was named Western Cape Exporter of the Year 2012 at a gala function last week. Dormac has five shipyards in South Africa and has established a reputation as a trainer of artisans. CEO Chris Sparg told FTW more than 650 artisans had been trained to date by the company with another 110 currently on the company’s books and in training programmes. “It is incredibly important to us that we train artisans – not just for our own purposes as a company but to benefit our industry as a whole,” he said. Viola Manuel, executive director of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which runs the Absa Capital-sponsored award, said she was delighted that the award had gone to a company that was so passionate about training and developing skills. “Training and skills development is an important element that we should be encouraging within business. This is exactly what this region and the country is looking for if we are to grow our skills base.” Other winners included Technical Systems, a Bellville firm that makes livestock feeding equipment. It was awarded the Transnet Port Terminals trophy for the best manufacturing company. The Credit Guarantee trophy for the small exporter went to Folioon- line, a translation agency in sub-Saharan Africa, while the Hermanus-based Abagold, pioneers in the abalone farming industry, won the Cape Chamber’s trophy for innovation. The Transnet National Ports Authority trophy for the non-manufacturing exporter went to Lona Citrus, while the new SA Maritime Safety Association trophy for excellence in design was awarded to Keedo International. CAPTION Winning ways … Chris Sparg, CEO Dormac, and Temi Ofong, head of Corporate Absa Capital.
