saibl news feed

10 Mar 2010: Shine-On Polish Footprint in Namibia

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:13:41 -0800

Following their successful participation in the saibl Trade Mission to Namibia (19-24 October 2009), Shine-On Polish managed to appoint�PSS Wholesalers as an exclusive distributor covering the whole of Namibia. Since then PSS Wholesalers have been working with several retail chains like Woermans and Pick 'n Pay to have Shine-On's products listed in Namibia. Pick 'n Pay has just listed Shine-On's products and the client expects its first order from PSS Wholesalers. Shine-On Polish cc is one of a few black enterprises in a sector long dominated by multinationals in the shoe polish industry. Besides shoe polish, Shine-On Polish also manufactures tyre polish, as well as floor and furniture polish.

10 Mar 2010": saibl Specialty Food and Wine News #1, March 2010

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 01:04:52 -0800

Read the first edition of the saibl Specialty Food and Wine News e-Newsletter

10 Mar 2010: Artists of Africa Exhibits at the New York Gift Fair

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:59:07 -0800

Artists of Africa received saibl assistance to exhibit at the New York Gift Fair from 25 - 29 January 2010. This was a repeat appearance and as a result, orders of $11 000 were generated at the show and are being prepared for shipping now. Exhibiting at this show allowed�Artists of Africa to meet with important buyers from small to medium sized high-end gift shops and galleries, interior decorators, buyers for museums, buyer for zoos and a buyer for large retail group. The highlight for them was a visit to the booth by American Natural History Museum who did not only visit but also placed a trial order.

saibl bulletin #1, March 2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:33:28 -0800

Read the first edition of the new saibl bulletin, a monthly e-newsletter that you can subscribe to free of charge.

4 Mar 2010: saibl bulletin #1, March 2010

International PhD Studentships on Offer at Queens University, Belfast

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:43:18 -0800

The School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queen�s University Belfast is offering two International PhD studentships (covering full international fees and living costs), available to non-EU applicants only, for October 2010 entry. The studentships are linked to two major ESRC-funded research projects.

1. Conflict in Cities and the Contested State (www.conflictincities.org): Research Topic: A Sociological Analysis of Borders and Walls

2. Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK: Research Topic: Poverty Measurement in �Medium� and �Low� Human Development Countries.

Visit the university website for more information

2 Mar 2010: saibl CoP Appointed to National Small Business Advisory Council

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:55:23 -0800

The Minister of Trade and Industry has requested saibl's Chief of Party, John James, to serve on the National Small Business Advisory Council. The body will advise the Minister on a variety of issues, such as strategies to address identified market failures affecting the sector; the impact of legislation on small business; national standards for small business development and regulation; business infrastructure creation, skills development, value chain access; and constraints affecting the viability of the small business community. Commenting on his appointment, John James said that he was humbled by the privilege and honour to serve as advisor to the Minister and the nation in this high priority sector. "I firmly and passionately believe that our country's economic development and success, as a thriving democracy, will depend significantly on the pace at which small enterprises, particularly black enterprises, integrate and become involved in the mainstream economy", said James. "My focus will be on improving the environment and space in which large corporations can play a leading role in supplier diversity through increased targeted procurement and enterprise development focused on black suppliers. We have to move our thinking and practices beyond BEE compliance to doing this based on sound business reasons. A nation that does not use a significant part of its talent cannot thrive. A corporation that does not have suppliers representing its market and citizen base cannot win against its competitors. Developing black suppliers without giving them opportunities is wasteful and counter-productive."

26 Feb 2010: USAID Washington Delegation Visits saibl Project

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:01:16 -0800

During a visit to South Africa, a group from the Economic Growth Division of the USAID contracting office in Washington DC took the opportunity to visit a USAID-supported project. On 25 February the programme started with a saibl presentation at USAID, followed by site visits to Vacuform and Hartell Manufacturing, long-standing and successful saibl clients. The delegation was escorted by USAID and saibl staff. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the larger concept of the programme and the delegation was impressed by the achievements of both companies.

26 Feb 2010: Success for Eat Smart Organics at the Natural and Organic Fair in Cape Town

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:56:14 -0800

The Natural and Organic Fair was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 19 to 22 February. saibl client Eat Smart Organics had a booth at the fair for the third year. Eat Smart supplies cooked meals to Checkers, Shoprite and various airlines. Their product range also includes organic juices, which were on display at the fair. For this year's fair, Eat Smart was contracted by the CTICC to provide all the food for the restaurant inside the exhibition hall, as well as the coffee shop in the foyer of the centre. This has given them great exposure, and has resulted in numerous enquiries. The company does not normally sell its products direct to the public, but high sales of its fruit juice at the fair have shown them that this market presents a new sales opportunity.

22 Feb 2010: saibl appointed as NAACAM enterprise development partner

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:14:00 -0800

The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has appointed saibl as its official enterprise development partner. NAACAM and saibl have agreed to work closely in supporting NAACAM member companies with enterprise development solutions in diversifying their suppliers to include black suppliers. In response to NAACAM officially introducing saibl as their enteprise development partner, requests have been received from their member companies for saibl to make a presenation At NAACAM's regional meeting in Port Elizabeth on 25 February 2010. The presentation will focus on how saibl can support members with their supplier diversity efforts.

22 Feb 2010: SASDC Steering Committee now totals 12 members

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:54:42 -0800

Twelve organisation have now nominated representatives to the South African Supplier Diversity Council Steering Committee. The members of the steering committee are: ABSA, Cummins, Sasol ChemCity, Unilever, Mondi, Foskor, Barloworld, Ford, UKZN, Rand Water, DBCM and Sappi.

16 Feb 2010: Petite Designs Lauded as Leader in House & Garden Magazine

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:36:50 -0800

saibl client Petite Designs was featured in the October 2009 edition of Cond� Nast House & Garden magazine.�In a reply to a letter to the editor, the magazine lauds Petite Design as a leader in the manufacturing of customised upholstery for furniture with more than 30 years� experience. Contact Tel: (011) 474 8728.

12 Feb 2010: Inaugural SASDC Steering Committee Meeting a Success

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 02:46:16 -0800

Seven corporate representatives attended the first meeting of the South African Supplier Diversity Council Steering Committee in Johannesburg. This commitee is responsible for creating the legal, operating entity of the SASDC. The representative from Sasol ChemCity was elected Chairman of the Committee, with the Barloworld representative being elected as Vice-Chairman. The next meeting is likely to be a full day event, covering information for Committee members who have less background understanding than others, as well as key decision-making.

The NMSDC South Africa Committee also held its first meeting via conference call in the USA on 11 February. Most members attended and indicated that they were very enthusiastic about the opportunity to support SASDC. Members include Chevron Corporation, Cummins Inc, Cisco Systems, Coca Cola, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Johnson Controls, Merck & Co, Motorola, Pfizer, Shell Corporation, United Technologies and Xerox.

05 Feb 2010: Artists of Africa Have Best Show Yet

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:57:40 -0800

saibl client, Artists of Africa, attended the New York International Gift Show from 30 January to 4 February following their participation in the Los Angeles and Chicago gift shows. The consumer response was tremendous with over $15,000 in written sales as well as many new buyers interested in their products. They had not planned on attending the upcoming gift show in August, but the American response to the products has them reconsidering. saibl supported the booth costs at this event and has supported Artists of Africa’s U.S. activities since 2006. This was their first opportunity exhibiting as an individual company.

26 jan 2010: Assessment of the Financial Literacy Needs of saibl SMEs: Results of a Survey by saibl and the USAID Financial Sector Programme

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:37:36 -0800

Late last year, saibl assisted USAIDs FSP (Financial Sector Programme) to conduct a survey to assist the programme (FSP) in identifying what information might help SMEs to access finance more effectively and what kind of information service would be useful to SMEs. The results of this survey can be viewed here (PDF 510kb).

22 Jan 2010: Pan-Africa Health Proves Successful for Palmed

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:05:55 -0800

Palmed Medical & Surgical Suppliers, a Durban-based saibl client in the supply of medical and surgical products, has received orders to the value of +/-R100,000.00 following their participation in the Pan African Health Expo which took place from 17-19 September 2009 in Midrand. An agreement is being drawn up to reaffirm arrangements to distribute its medical supplies in Malawi, including venturing for a large tender for medical and surgical products for the Malawi government hospitals. This was the first time the client had participated in the event with the support of saibl. The Pan African Health Expo and Conference draws visitors from private clinics, government hospitals, government health officials, medical professionals, NGOs/donors involved in healthcare and medical aids and administrators. Exhibitors include healthcare solution providers, medical technology and equipment, diagnostics and medical supplies, disposables, pharmaceutical products, surgical products and devices, medical IT and education and medical service providers.