Screen Manufacturing cc

www.smf.co.za

History

Screen Manufacturing is a Springs based company established by Lena Stofberg and her son, Piet during 1998. Lena's husband, Dougie Stofberg, boasts 40 years experience in the mining industry; Dougie purchased an assignment of machinery at an auction some years ago, and some of the equipment was renovated to start up Screen Manufacturing six years ago.

Experience

Management and staff at this company have a combined experience of more than 60 years in the mining and manufacturing business.

Professionalism

Lena is a self-made person who has been in business most of her adult life, due to this exposure she now possesses the rare quality of perseverance, only found in successful Companies. This rewarded Lena with 3rd place award for business of the year.

Why we are in business

A machine was bought as part of a "lot" at an auction and only much later Mr Stofberg realized what the true value of the equipment was. Five years passed before Mrs Lena Stofberg realized a business opportunity and with the help of three of her current work force members seized the challenge to become the now very successful business of Screen Manufacturing.

Security

Electric fencing surrounds the premises and an intercom system at the main entrance provides adequate security for employees and visitors to Screen Manufacturing. Management are contracted to a 24-hour armed response service in the event of an emergency on site.

Marketing

The company relies on "word of mouth" referrals from satisfied customers to generate new business. There is also an internal salesperson that compiles company portfolios to distribute to potentially new clients. Lena also has a good relationship with opposition companies, who send business his way when they are unable to meet deadlines and commitments.

After Sales

Management are confident that after sales services is unnecessary in their industry. Follow-up calls are made when necessary and customer satisfaction always comes first.

Screen Manufacturing has grown from a staff compliment of two, to 13 employees. In-house training on a regular basis enables permanent employees to learn different aspects of the factory operation, and opportunities for promotions from within are inevitable. Casual employees are used on an ad-hoc basis to cope with extra work-load from time to time; further employment opportunities are envisaged for the casuals to become permanent staff in the future.

Health & Safety

The company is in the process of implementing health & safety training for employees, using Makrosafe. Further in-house training will continue in order to promote efficiency within the factory.

Renumeration

Permanent employees earn above minimum wage requirements, and casuals are paid according to legal requirements. Interim increases are awarded on merit at intervals during the year, and annual bonuses are paid in December to all staff.

Transparency

They are currently compiling their access of information manual, and is full compliant to legislation regarding VAT and PAYE.

BEE

Lena has implemented BEE into the company; the business was recently graded by SAMPPF (South African Mining Professional Procurement Forum).

Social Issues

Management make regular donations to various local charities and are in full support of PATSAADs (Pigeons Against Teenage Sex, Abuse of Alcohol, Drugs and Satanism).

Flexibility

In the event of an unnatural disaster, Screen Manufacturing is in a position to re-build their machinery and equipment locally, and production would continue in a short period of time.

Achievements

Management believe that their greatest achievement is the fact that they have maintained a 30% growth rate since the company's inception six years ago. "Without any sales representatives on the road, I believe that our company's growth has been phenomenal, and we hope to continue doing this in the future," adds Lena.

In the future

This company's primary goal for the immediate future is to implement BEE. "We are striving to grow the business to such a capacity that BEE will be viable for us," is Lena's belief. In maintaining 30% profit growth for the next few years, management anticipate creating more jobs for semi-skilled workers on the East Rand.