Senwes Integrated Reports Senwes 2018/2019 Integrated Report (b) | Page 32

THE BUSINESS Photo taken during Senwes’ Wellness Day held at Senwes Head Office in 2018. BUSINESS PARTNERS To be a business partner of choice through driving effective strategy execution and optimally levera­ ging critical mass, value synergies, operational effi­ ciencies and other benefits to the long-term advan­ tage of the group as a whole. Issues during the year  Lack of strategic alignment and ineffective strategy execution.  Operational inefficiencies and lack of opera- tional execution.  Sub-par financial performance of certain joint venture companies.  Insufficient unlocking of value through leve­ raging critical mass and value synergies. EMPLOYEES To be an employer of choice that pays market re­ lated salaries whilst providing employees with the opportunity to realise their desired career paths. Issues during the year  Challenging macro economic environment.  Wage agreement disputes.  Employment equity compliance. SUPPLIERS To be the preferred supplier of products and ser­ vices to clients and customers in the agricultural sector. Issues during the year  Clients’ cash flow was under pressure. Company’s response to these issues  Senwes hosted its first employee wellness day.  Senwes paid short-term incentive bonuses to staff to the value of R48 million.  Formalised wage agreement disputes of both Senwes and Hinterland were referred to the CCMA, where both cases were resolved with- out escalating to strike-level.  Two Department of Labour non-compliance cases were successfully defended and com- pliance certificates were issued.  A five-year employment equity plan was de- veloped, with full stakeholder engagement and approval, which was submitted and ack­nowledged by the Department of Labour. Salaries R’m 450 400 Company’s response to these issues Company’s response to these issues  Hinterland offered extended payments of up to two months on seed and up to 150 days on crop protection chemicals, which ensured that suppliers were paid on time and clients enjoyed the benefit of interest-free extended payments with the same discount as initially negotiated.  Regular critical evaluation (financially, ope­ rationally and strategically) of each joint ven- ture, subsidiary or associate to determine the action steps that need to be taken in order to ensure financial sustainability, operational ef- ficiency and strategic fit, in such a manner as to ensure that the intended value and criti­cal mass can be obtained to ensure benefits and long-term sustainability for the Senwes group as a whole. Cost of Investments R’m 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 - 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Subsidiaries JV’s and Associate Paid to suppliers of goods and services R’m 1 800 1 600 1 400 1 200 1 000 800 600 400 200 - 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 350 300 250 200 150 30 Photo taken at the exhibition of JD Implemente, joint venture of Senwes, at the first Nampo Cape held during September 2018 in Bredasdorp. 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 SENWES INTEGRATED REPORT 2019 SENWES INTEGRATED REPORT 2019 31