Imperial Logistics achieves “Value Add” statues on B-BBEE scorecard

Gauteng, November 29, 2014 (STAT);-Sustainability director Sibongile Zikalala explains that Imperial Logistics’ value-add status increases the group’s preferential procurement level from 110% to 137.5%, which is higher than that of a Level 1 supplier. “This translates into significant benefits for clients doing business with Imperial Logistics.”

Enterprise Development and Socio-economic development were two areas in which the group scored full points in its latest scorecard, she reveals.“Imperial Logistics achieved 61.03% against the 50% target for procurement from all B-BBEE suppliers and 8.32% was achieved against the target of 10% for QSE (Qualifying Small Enterprise) and EME (Exempted Micro Enterprise) procurement. In addition, 13.75% of the 9.95% target for more than 50% black owned and 30% black woman owned supplier procurement was achieved.”

Expanding on the full score attained by the organisation for socio-economic development, Zikalala notes that points are awarded for socio-economic development based on the transactions concluded with qualifying beneficiaries – at least 75% of which must be black people, as defined by the codes. “Imperial Logistics’ contributions in this area include a Wellness Fund that supports black South Africans within the transport industry,” she states.

In terms of employment equity, Imperial Logistics has made strides, scoring more than double the points it achieved in 2011. Elaborating on employment equity progress to date, Zikalala says that through various management training programmes, Imperial Logistics has built a pipeline of black managers. With 3123 black managers now in its employ - more than triple the number working for the group in 2008 - Imperial Logistics has clearly made strides in this area. “There is also a growing trend at Imperial for women to occupy managerial positions in the previously male dominated functional areas in the business. Most of these women come through the ranks of the graduate programmes. On completion they are placed in supervisory and management positions.”

Zikalala says the group is likewise striving to accelerate transformation in the road freight industry, where the culture is changing. “Imperial Logistics and all its member companies comply with the Road Freight Sub-Sector Charter Code. The Department of Transport has been tasked to facilitate the process of aligning the Transport Sector Codes with the B-BBEE revised codes before the end of April 2015. This consultation process has begun and Imperial Logistics is part of the Road Freight task team that will submit the BEE Charter to the Department of Trade and industry for approval,”she explains.

While the tougher new BEE scorecard raises the transformation bar, particularly for large organisations, Imperial Logistics views this as an incentive to keep doing the things that have earned it the position of an industry leader in some BEE indicators, and to push harder in areas in which it is falling short. “We are already aligning our BEE initiatives to the new BEE codes which will come into effect on 1 May 2015,”Zikalala reports. “Since transformation is a top priority - for the country, our industry and our business - we are already measuring our operating companies in terms of the new codes.”

The groups’ BEE roadmap for 2015 gives an indication that Imperial Logistics will achieve a competitive recognition level under the new codes in 2015. “We regard the new codes as the next phase in our transformation journey. We will continue to pursue and enhance all facets of empowerment, regardless of the measurements in place, because we believe that the process of economic transformation must continue apace in order to bring the majority of black South Africans into the mainstream economy, not only by providing employment but also by giving them meaningful economic participation and the opportunity to share increasingly in the wealth creation resulting from economic activities,” Zikalala concludes.