For the third consecutive year Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has won the prestigious SJM Flex Environmental Award – the Exporters Club top annual environmental accolade.
VWSA beat other major exporters by being awarded the coveted environmental award as well as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the year award at the annual banquet of the Exporters Club of South Africa: Eastern Cape, held at the Port Elizabeth Boardwalk Convention Centre in August 2014.
The SJM Flex Environmental Award recognises companies who have made huge strides in implementing environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.
According to the judges, VWSA was a worthy winner because it “not only continued to reduce the carbon footprint of its factory and products but also introduced a unique Bell Bell spraying system in Paint Shop, which has significantly reduced hazardous waste in the production process.”
The judges for the SJM Flex Environmental award included Dr Anton de Wit (NMMU), Johnny Pitorino (SJM Flex), Phinda Xipula (SJM Flex), Andrew Philips (Wilderness Foundation) and Quintin Levey (Exporters Club chairman).
“Through their environmental Think Blue. Factory strategy, over the last three years the company has reduced its electricity usage by 20%, reduced waste disposal by 26%, reduced water usage by 40%, reduced CO2 emissions by 14% and reduced VOC emissions by 18%,” the judges said in a statement.
In addition, VWSA’s 2013 volume exports of Polo to over 30 different countries coupled with its parts and accessories turnover volume being the highest in the company history, were also recognised by the Eastern Cape branch of the Exporters Club by announcing VWSA as the OEM of the year.
VWSA Managing Director David Powels added: “Our success in the export market as well as our dominant market share position in the domestic passenger market is proof that our Uitenhage plant is world class and able to compete internationally.”
The judges said VWSA had achieved No 1 position in the passenger car market for the fifth year in a row, were awarded gold status for Audi and VW on the IPSOS customer satisfaction index, placed first and second in the dealer satisfaction index, and their customer interaction centre was voted No 1 call centre in South Africa.
“VWSA are the clear leaders in the area of environmental awareness. They have dedicated a large sum of time and money to assessing, monitoring the reducing their carbon footprint,” commented Quintin Levey.
Alan Straton
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