Bidvest Properties

Material sustainable development issues

• constraints on energy supply per site and increasing energy costs
• skills shortages and capacity limitations in the building industry and particularly at council level
• increasingly stringent environmental standards for buildings

Sustainability

Bidvest Properties operates within the framework of international standards set by government legislation in South Africa. This covers the full spectrum, from building legislation and fire regulations to health and safety at work and environmental statutes.

A major constraint facing property development on a given site is obtaining enough power capacity from Eskom. This naturally brings energy efficiency more clearly into focus. By reducing our environmental footprint through ”green building” practices, we strive to maximise useable building space for our clients and tenants.

Strategies to save costs and improve energy efficiency include energy-efficient compact and T-bay fluorescent lamps and energy-saving movement sensor technology (in new and refitted buildings).

Given the current economic downturn, the additional capital investment needed to establish more energy-efficient buildings puts pressure on the rental market. This has become a significant business challenge.

Skills shortages afflict the building sector and municipalities and are particularly evident when planning approval is sought. However, lower levels of building activity have eased the pressure on infrastructure provision and the services needed during development.

Bidvest Properties remains committed to setting the highest industry standards in all its activities.

Ontime Automotive

Material sustainable development issues

• managing societal impact of downsizing
• cost of fuel
• impact of vehicle emissions
• rising claims culture in the UK

Sustainability

Ontime Automotive has been severely affected by the current economic downturn. This adversely affected our economic performance and staff lay-offs were required. The company took advantage of restructuring to improve its environmental performance and efficiency.

As a result of lower business volumes and the closure of a number of constituent businesses, our head-count fell by 42% from 835 to 436. While this had an undeniable effect on staff morale, the company leadership took a transparent approach and ensured employees were fully informed of the economic realities facing the business. The retrenchment process includes consultation periods and measures to assist employees find alternative work.

Sadly, we experienced a fatality within our Rescue & Recovery operation when a truck was involved in a collision with a car broken down on the kerb, resulting in the death of the occupant. We have extended our condolences to the family of the accident victim, and are providing counselling to the driver involved. The company is cooperating with the authorities and is taking measures to understand the causes of the incident and the lessons to be learned.

Mindful of the growing claim culture in the UK, we also increased training related to health and safety. This year we were accredited with CHAS (Contractors Health and Safety Accreditation Scheme).

Following the announcement of new European emission standards, Ontime Automotive has brought most of its fleet of 400 vehicles up to the Euro 2 standard. All new vehicles are at Euro 5 (the standard required in the EU by 2009). This meant spending £250 000 to fit catalytic converters.

We continue to reduce our fuel consumption through ongoing awareness and the application of smart technology; for example, trackers are being attached to vehicles. They monitor efficient driving and will even switch off vehicles when drivers leave trucks unattended. Smart IT is also being used to smooth the supply chain, reduce unnecessary phone and paper traffic, optimise routes travelled and improve client relationships.