KAL Group, the diversified JSE-listed retail group trading in agricultural-, general retail, convenience- and fuel markets celebrated its top suppliers on Thursday, 9 March 2023 at its 10th annual Supplier of the Year Awards ceremony held in Cape Town.
Recipients of the Supplier of the Year recognition included 35 suppliers representing 34 procurement categories. Additionally, Montego Pet Nutrition earned the overall Supplier of the Year Award.
First presented in 2011, the supplier awards is a distinction reserved for agricultural and retail suppliers who exceed KAL Group’s procurement and supply chain requirements, help the company accomplish its ambitious growth objectives and who share in the Company’s purpose.
In addition to the awards being given to exemplary suppliers that support key product categories, KAL Group also recognises corporate suppliers in two priority areas, namely information technology and supplier development.
A highlight of KAL Group’s corporate calendar, this year’s awards ceremony is the first event being held following the company’s name change from Kaap Agri to KAL Group. The celebrations were held at the Zeitz MOCAA Museum of Contemporary Art. The venue, a converted grain silo in Cape Town Harbour, holds specific historical significance for KAL Group as its former operating company, WPK, managed the silos from 1984 to 2001.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, KAL Group CEO, Sean Walsh said that strategic supply relationships have been key to the company’s success.
“Congratulations to our 2022 Supplier of the Year Award winners. Our suppliers are vital partners to KAL Group’s growth journey and we value their resilience as well as their commitment to adding value, despite a challenging supply chain environment. It is through our close collaboration with suppliers that we are able to continue to expand our reach, support our strong market position and drive sustainable growth for the business.”
In 2022, KAL Group had more than 7,400 active suppliers on its database.
“We rely on our suppliers to be strategic partners in enabling us to meet current and future customer needs and enhance the overall customer experience our trade businesses and retail brands offer,” said Hennie Smit, KAL Group’s Supply Chain Director.
“Our Supplier of the Year Awards programme serves as an enabler for suppliers to commit to continuous improvement and foster strong relations.”
The winners were selected by cross functional teams based on performance elements across four pillars of excellence, namely Ethics, Customer Focus, Value Proposition and Efficiency. Branches, shared services and supply chain teams independently rate suppliers per category. This ensures that staff who interact with customers and suppliers on a daily basis play a direct role in the selection process. The evaluation of suppliers take place at the end of the financial year and KAL Group generally announces the Awards during the second quarter of the following financial year.
With the awards growing to 34 individual procurement categories, it is a testimony of the Group’s diversification efforts over the past several years.
The winners of the 2022 KAL Group Supplier of the Year Awards are:
Agri Chemicals: Nexus
Agri Infrastructure (Poles): PG Bison (Woodline)
Agri Infrastructure (Water Distribution & Protection Nets): Knittex
Agri Infrastructure (Wire & Gates): Cape Gate Fence & Wire Works
Animal Feeds: RCL Foods (Molatek)
Animal Health: MSD Animal Health
Fertilisers: Yara Cape
Horticulture: Agricol
Mechanisation: Southtrade
Mechanisation: Vitamech
Packing Material (Corrugated): Mpact Corrugated
Packing Material (General): Permoseal
Packing Material (Plastic): Zibo Containers
Packing Material (Paper & Pulp): Superior Group (Agri Pack)
Packing Material (Wood): Morreto
Transport: Triangle Transport
Automotive, Lubricants & Gas: Afrox
Fuel: TotalEnergies
Building Material: Swartland Investments
Building Material: PPC Cement
Clothing & PPE: Jonsson Workwear
FMCG: Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages
Hardware: Safe Top
Homeware & Appliances: Academy Brushware
Irrigation: Agrinet
Lighting & Electrical: Agrinet
Liquor: SAB
Outdoor: LK’s
Paint: Duram
Pets: Montego Pet Nutrition
Pool & Gardening: Coopers Enviromental Science
Sanware & Plumbing: Marley Pipe Systems
Tools: Diesel-Electric
IM: NClose
Group Supplier Development: Ceazers Logistics
Overall Winner: Montego Pet Nutrition