Bidvest tops for sustainability report

Monday, 09 January 2012 09:43

The Bidvest Group has won the 2011 Ernst & Young award for Excellence in Sustainability Reporting in recognition of its commitment to sustainable development.

Eskom was runner-up ahead of AngloGold Ashanti, Anglo American Platinum, Exxaro Resources, Gold Fields, Impala Platinum Holdings, Sasol, Northam Platinum and Lonmin Plc.

The top 10 stood out because of their understanding of, and commitment to, sustainability, says the Head of Climate Change and Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young, Jeremy Grist.

"While Bidvest and Eskom are not resource companies (e.g as mines are), they showed a strong commitment to sustainability reporting and that their boards consider it to be important to their businesses," he says.

Many companies, he adds, merely pay lip service to sustainability reporting and do only the minimum to comply.

"Simply adding pages to the annual report does not impress the adjudicators. They want to see that the company has taken a fresh look at the structure of its annual report and put the necessary work into integration.

Says Bidvest Communications Manager, Junette Davidson: "Sustainability talks to more than shareholders. All stakeholders, from employees to suppliers, need assurance that the company is here to stay.

"Effective sustainability reporting sends a clear message that the organisation is sustainable and that management is focused on its long term viability."

Ernst & Young’s Excellence in Sustainability Reporting Survey encourages companies to raise the standard of their reporting and rewards organisations who make the effort to do more for their stakeholders.

Security Officers pull drivers from burning car

Monday, 31 October 2011 11:11

In the early hours of the morning on 14th January 2011 two Bidvest Magnum Officers went beyond the barriers of their responsibilities.

Morris Chauke (Site Security Supervisor) and Sibonisine Miza (Security Reaction Officer) were on site at Dimension Data when they heard a loud noise. On investigating they found that two vehicles had been involved in an accident and, as a result of the collision, both vehicles were in flames.

The Security Officers contacted the Dimension Data Control Room via radio to inform them of the situation and then went about pulling the trapped drivers from their burning vehicles. By the time the Fire Department and medical emergency personnel arrived on the scene, the Bidvest Magnum security personnel had managed to extinguish the flames. Both drivers sustained injuries in the accident and were taken to hospital for treatment.

But for the quick reaction of Morris Chauke and Sibonisine Miza the two drivers could have been another vehicle accident statistic.

Top Service Award for Bidvest Magnum

Tuesday, 25 October 2011 08:37

The Spectrum Awards are an initiative of the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC), with nominees for the awards comprising winners of the regional Special Star Retailer and Service Provider Awards, the Footprint Marketing Awards and the Retail Design and Development Awards.

At a recent event hosted by the SACSC, Bidvest Magnum was awarded the Spectrum Award for 2010 for its services at Melrose Arch. The company was acclaimed the best service provider to the country's retail industry as well as top security service provider to shopping centres in Gauteng.

Specifically, the Spectrum recognised the achievements of the Gauteng Central Region team, under the leadership of Regional Director, Madie Leonard. (pictured right)

The award came after nomination by Rennie Property, managing agents for Melrose Arch and unannounced inspections by SACSC judges. Madie attributed the Spectrum award to her staff's diligence, dedication and discipline.

Rebranding The Company

Tuesday, 25 October 2011 07:48

As a result of extensive market research, Bidvest decided to align all its subsidiary companies closer to the powerful Bidvest brand.

To coincide with the rebranding, Bidvest has combined the various security offerings within the Group to form a security cluster which is known as the Bidvest Magnum Group. The cluster is made up of the following companies:

• Integrated Security Services
• Technology
• Specialised Services
• Mining Services
• National Operations Centre
• ACTS
• Bidtrack

The restructuring is in line with the group's strategic vision to be the undisputed, first choice provider of quality, integrated security solutions. The company is now a position to offer clients a comprehensive range of technologies that compliment the guarding service, enabling clients to optimise their security spend without compromising security.