Supply chain expertise recognised - Logistics ‘king’ takes Gauteng export crown

Sarel Cilliers of Standard Bank (right) congratulates Gauteng Exporter of the Year, Jeremy Hayward of Sherwood International, whose export turnover is expected to exceed R1.5 billion in the current financial year. SHERWOOD INTERNATIONAL took Gauteng’s Chamber of Commerce/Standard Bank Exporter of the Year award last week, trouncing a strong competitor line-up for the coveted title. The company has made a name for itself in cross-border supply chain management to remote locations throughout Africa, and in global procurement, naming among its clients the likes of SABMiller breweries, Ashanti Gold and Illovo’s sugar mills in Tanzania and Malawi. Banditos Chile Co won the small manufacturing category for its hot chilli relish, which it started supplying to local flea markets 11 years ago, and now exports to Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan and the UK. Pre Plan, which has won multi-million dollar contracts for its modular building facade claddings in Brunei, Iran, Kenya, Angola and Nigeria was the winner in the medium manufacturing category while Nola Division of Foodcorp was the winner in the large manufacturing category. The top BEE exporter was South African Jewel, whose range of beaded jewellery is sold in New York, Sydney, Paris and Rome. The award for technological excellence went to Multotec Process Equipment which is regarded as a world leader in the manufacture and supply of process beneficiation equipment for the mining industry. Ninety percent of the world’s diamond production is processed by its equipment, according to figures supplied to FTW.