The Southern Africa Readymix Association of Southern Africa ( Sarma ) continues to grow exponentially as producers seek to align themselves with the trend towards high quality concrete that is a hallmark of its membership .
ASSOCIATIONS
Mixing it up : a new era for Readymix and Sarma
The Southern Africa Readymix Association of Southern Africa ( Sarma ) continues to grow exponentially as producers seek to align themselves with the trend towards high quality concrete that is a hallmark of its membership .
While numbers continue to swell , Sarma is also gearing for a new phase in the development of the industry . As some of the stalwarts of the association make way for the next generation of leaders to drive their visions forward in the ongoing pursuit of a local industry that is a world leader in the development and delivery of quality concrete .
Incoming chairman of the association , Avi Bhoora , comments on the year ahead , “ We ’ ve had quite a lot of changes in the lead up to 2017 . Charl Marais resigned as chairman of Sarma at the end of 2016 and we wish him success with his future endeavours while thanking him sincerely for his stewardship in the past year .”
NEW DIRECTION
“ Another change is the proposed initiative to consolidate all concrete industry bodies . We conducted a referendum in mid-January and a unanimous agreement from about 75 % of our members to proceed . This has unfortunately resulted in the decision to withdraw from the joint office that we shared with the Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa ( Aspasa ) for many years . We thank Nico Pienaar and his team for their unstinting support and congratulate Johan van Wyk for succeeding Nico as director of Sarma . Johan moved his office to Midrand at the beginning of February .
“ The external environment has been harsh and this has affected business confidence and markets adversely . The management committee deliberated on the status of the industry at our strategic planning meeting held in mid- September 2016 .
“ We concluded that Sarma currently represents approximately two thirds of the industry and we will need to embrace an even greater majority in future to avoid losing our identity and to make a more meaningful contribution to the overall construction industry . We will also strive to derive greater benefit from the consolidation of the concrete industry bodies ,” adds Bhoora .
WHAT ’ S TO COME ?
In future , the industry , as well as the markets we supply can look forward to :
• An enhanced accreditation process for unquestionable credibility of readymix concrete quality .
• Stronger lobby to have accredited Readymix producers specified as exclusive suppliers of concrete .
• The offering of more accredited training to uplift core skills within the industry .
• The emulation of good practice from other successful industry associations in respect of statistics collection and dissemination and conflict management . Examples include the establishment of an ombudsman , adoption of a code of conduct , compliance and consequence management .
“ In addition , we pledge on behalf of the management committee , that we will work tirelessly to realise the objectives of Sarma . However , it requires full support from all readymix suppliers to further improve the image of the readymix industry as well as move the industry to a new position of profitability and sustainability ,” promises Bhoora .
Avi Bhoora is the new chairman of Sarma .
SARMA
NEW CONTACT DETAILS
General manager of Sarma , Johan van Wyk , has been promoted to the director of the association .
The Southern Africa Readymix Association ( Sarma ) has moved to new centralised premises to reach out to its ever-growing membership .
The new premises at Block D , Lone Creek , Waterfall Park in Bekker Road , Midrand has improved facilities for interactions with members and has well equipped training facilities to meet growing requirements for skills development within the industry .
SARMA
10
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2017
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING