Timber iQ August- September 2018 // Issue: 39 | Page 16

EVENTS
A sweet success
Historic protective work wear brand Sweet-Orr cuts the ribbon for
the opening of its new trendy showroom in Johannesburg.
By Candace Sofianos King
The new contemporary Sweet-Orr Showroom situated at the Terminal Lifestyle Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg.
K
nown for its longstanding history and high-end
product offering, protective clothing Sweet-Orr
celebrated its journey, challenges and achievements
with the launch of the brand’s first-of-its-kind showroom at
the Terminal Lifestyle Centre in Boksburg, Johannesburg on
Thursday 21 June.
Attended by government representatives, Sweet-Orr
staff, industry professionals and media, the launch kicked
off with a speech by Abisha Tembo, chief director of
clothing, textiles, footwear and leather at the Industrial
Development Division (IDD) of the Department of Trade
and Industry (dti), who shared about Sweet-Orr’s success as
well as the importance of public private partnerships.
“The Department of Trade and Industry has been a part
of the Sweet-Orr family for years and we have seen it
grow,” said Tembo. “The work they have done in
manufacturing women’s protective work wear deserves an
accolade – there are many challenges in this particular field
so well done to Sweet-Orr for getting it right,” added Tembo.
Tembo noted that government foresees growth; however,
the public sector cannot achieve economic success alone.
“The government does not create jobs, instead, it should
shape a healthy environment for businesses to thrive as
well as to create employment,” said Tembo.
John Jacobs, managing director of Sweet-Orr South
Africa, told guests that the DTI had went out if its way to
create various uplifting programmes. Having been with the
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company for almost 50 years, Jacobs noted that more than
300 people are employed by Sweet-Orr, with some staff
serving more than 40 years with the company.
Jacobs highlighted that its production plant in Cape
Town supplies to the rest of the country as well as to SADC
region countries including Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
“Supply locally is key, and understanding the product is
crucial,” said Jacobs.
MADE TO LAST
Founded in Wappingers Falls, New York in 1871, Sweet-Orr
understands that the toughest environments require the
toughest garments and therefore places continued
emphasis on innovation, research and development,
ensuring that its protective workwear always meets the
highest standards. Sweet-Orr garments are expertly
designed and created by highly skilled teams that have
shared their artistry and devotion to hard-wearing
workwear since the company’s birth more than
140 years ago.
It is Sweet-Orr’s belief that everyone should easily
access superior quality workwear and protective clothing,
which was instrumental in the establishment of the brand’s
maiden showroom that stocks both Sweet-Orr’s specialised
range as well as its essential and utility workwear.
“At Sweet-Orr we are passionate about ensuring
individual tradesmen and artisans have access to the