Construction World March 2021

them in a manner that is synonymous with our 128 year journey. We believe in the collective development of our sector thus we have continued in our efforts to provide support to industry, retail and construction sectors by adding sustainable value and convenience through SMME sector. PPC’s commitment to ensuring that SMMEs are well placed to meet the anticipated demand for quality local bricks in South Africa’s construction industry has allowed them to contribute to the sector in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Having worked closely with the industry to realize modest changes in how its operational choices impact sustainable growth, PPC has handed over six machines to six of its long- standing SMMEs in Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga collectively valued at R1,8-million during the pandemic period. The machines continue to add to our efforts to advance the need for improved education around the impact of substandard/cheap products; while growing their business. As a business we are celebrating the opportunity we have had to engage government through the ITAC on the matters impeding the recovery of the economy. Having successfully demonstrated our ability to provide 100% local and quality cement, we are pleased to announce that cement is now gazetted. This goes a long way towards ensuring that we protect our local economy from imported cement. What are the realities that PPC has been faced with during the last year? Over the past year we have taken a closer look at how we support our employees as the pandemic has had an impact on their morale and state of mind. We are concerned as the general feeling of helpless that the pandemic has brought into the business has impacted our employees at home as well. While we work to find innovative ways to directly and indirectly support them, we remain clear on the fact that our people are at the center of our business. It is their continued passion and committement to excellence that has enabled us to exist for the past 128 years. PPC has remained true to its commitment to sustain the economy by paying our employees and suppliers throughout the pandemic. Through their support we have discussed and developed solutions that empower them while giving PPC an opportunity to continue to live its brand promise, 'STRENGHT BEYOND'. We are pleased to report that our efforts to engage the industry and government on the impact of imports and substandard cement has resulted in partnerships aimed at advancing the local agenda. Ensuring we run a sustainable business continues to be a priority for us, irrespective of the unstable market conditions. We continue to support all efforts to keep the economy going without compromising the developmental agenda. While the reduction in infrastructure spend was a cause for concern, we are optimistic of government’s committement to making this spend available. This enables us to empower the community to experience a better quality of life while ensuring we do our part to provide safe housing. Are all the production facilities for PPC operational? We have relooked at how we make the best use of our operations to ensure we are well placed to meet the needs of the market. As an optimistic business we continue to look for ways to make the best use of our national footprint to ensure construction projects continue to get the best in 100% locally manufactured cement and materials. We have made the decision to not bring all of our units into operation because a decision to switch on units must always be for a sustainable reason. Through our three mega plant strategy, which we have implemented since 2018, we remain focused ensuring the sustainability of the business. PPC was able to bring plants into operation within two or three weeks when demand for our products increased after the initial hard

lock down. This was due to the fact that the business continues to ensure its operations are well taken care of while our employees remain focused providing 100% quality products to the market. While PPC recognises the gains received through retail during COVID-19, it is not a sustainable investment case as it relies heavily on disposable income. The gains were influenced by the reduction in the interest rate, availability of money from social grants and the two months spent at home that allowed us all to review how we can improve our homes to ensure social distancing. For this reason, we continue to engage stakeholders and government in addressing the danger we face due to the lack of support from/for the local industry and our ability to bolster future investment capacity. How will you ensure the sustainability of PPC? We continue to engage regional leaders in technical, sales and marketing to ensure we were in a position to service the market while observing all necessary COVID-19 protocols. While driving business continuity in an uncertain environment remains challenging, we are humbled to have a team and partners who are willing to navigate these uncharted waters with us. We remain optimistic about our future on the continent as it remains the final frontier. In line with the infrastructure development projects in the pipeline across the continent, we remain committed to ensuring we provide 100% local and 100% quality cement and materials. Working closely with our partners and government to address industry concerns, our footprint combined with our ability to support infrastructure projects remains an integral part in the sustainability of our business. What measures have been put in place to ensure such sustainability? Private-public partnerships have created engagement opportunities through ITAC, SAFCEC and the MBSA. This has enabled us to become better equipped to be part of industry collective voices, thereby giving us the opportunity to play our part in the development and empowerment the local economy. Our efforts have enabled SMME development in the sector while creating opportunities for employment. This has resulted in the growth and development of communities through engagement with micro-enterprises. In an efford to ensure the continued growth of our SMMEs, we have entered into a partnership with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) to explore the economic development of township based SMMEs. Forming part of government’s broader efforts with the private sector to broaden efforts to address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality through the support of township black-owned SMMEs in construction and logistics sectors. Partnerships like this form part of the business’ ongoing efforts to improve access to education and training. Our team focused on providing a scientifically formulated product that is tailor-made for varying conditions that come with building across the country. Through our fit for purpose products, we remain a partner for cement and materials solutions that will stand the test of time. What will PPC look like in two years from now? We are optimistic about our business, our team and partners. PPC in the next two years will be a better PPC than today through the continued support of our competent leadership, board and employees. We remain encouraged by our customers who continue to demand more out of our fit for purpose products as they make use of our innovative technical support. We are all committed to being the best operator in cement and materials business across the continent. It is for this reason that we have we have collectively intensified our efforts to create this reality. ▄

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD MARCH 2021