Somta awarded business of the year award

BUSINESS leaders and dynamic entrepreneurs from Pietermaritzburg gathered yesterday evening (18-11-2011) for the city’s premier business function, the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business (PCB)/Nedbank annual banquet, which honoured the remarkable achievements of business people in the city.

Winning recipients and runners-up in the categories Business of the Year and Champion Entrepreneur received their awards from Jenny Goddard, regional head of Nedbank Business Banking. Winners and runners-up in the categories Small Business of the Year and Emergent Black Business Person of the Year were presented their awards by Simiso Mkhize, regional manager, Nedbank Retail Relationship Banking.

The Business of the Year 2011 went to Somta Tools and the award was received by managing director Allan Conolly. In presenting the award, the PCB recognised the company’s visionary leadership in an economically challenging environment and their implementation of significant productivity improvements and application of sound management principles.

Melanie Veness, PCB chief executive officer, said the Somta team proactively addressed the challenges that they were facing as a result of the world economic crisis, and implemented an effective turnaround strategy. “Not only has there been an impressive improvement in sales, but there has also been a remarkable turnaround from a significant loss situation to one of profitability.

“The company has managed to effectively balance real empowerment with managerial control, and the increase in sales due to greater demand and the introduction of new product ranges has resulted in the employment of an additional 45 people over the last year. “Somta enjoys between 55% and 60% of the high-speed steel market share in South Africa and exports to 72 countries worldwide. They are leaders in their industry and in business, and are most deserving of this award,” said Veness.

The runner-up for Business of the Year 2011 were Talbot & Talbot. The award was received by Dr Bernard Talbot. The Champion Entrepreneur for 2011 was Rick McCarthy, owner of Hair Sole’ in Victoria Road and Sole’ Hair Design at the Liberty Midlands Mall, as well as Training Leadership Consulting (TLC) — a professional services business focused on business improvement.

The runner-up for Champion Entrepreneur 2011 was Nobuhle Patricia Mbanjwa, owner of Jailbreak Caterers. The Small Business of the Year 2011 was Coffeeberry Café. Runner-up for Small Business of the Year 2011 was Lock & Key Solutions.

The Emergent Black Business Person of the Year was Johannes Nene, owner of Nene Haulage. The runner-up for Emergent Black Business Person of the Year was Sandeep Seeth of African Intellect. — Witness Reporter. The Champion Entrepreneur for 2011 was Rick McCarthy, owner of Hair Solé’ in Victoria Road and Solé Hair Design at the Liberty Midlands Mall.