Stakeholder engagement
Sustainable value creation depends on
successful engagement with
stakeholders. Using our values as the
basis of all exchanges, we aim to
engage proactively with those who
impact Bidvest, as well as those on
whom we have an impact. This informs
our strategy development and
evaluation, our risk management as well
as our material issues. |
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The icons link to our strategy and capitals.
Equity and debt investors |
| Nature of engagement – Results presentations and company announcements; Investor meetings and
roadshows; Webcast updates and other |
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Key issues raised
- Group strategy
- Group performance
- Significant non-financial issues
- Non-core asset disposal
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Our response
- Hosted investor days to enhance market knowledge
- Updated Domestic Medium Term Note Programme documents and concluded a roadshow
- Continued inclusion of non-financial issues in annual integrated report
- Disposed of R773 million of non-core assets
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Employees and trade unions |
| Nature of engagement – Close involvement of local managers with local trade unions;
Employment equity forums within Bidvest; Employee surveys; and Group ethics line |
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Key issues raised
- Market-related remuneration
- Group communication to ensure good employee
relationships and positive workforce
- Action employee issues raised
- Health and safety
- Securing, retaining and development of necessary skills
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Our response
- Informal, hands-on managerial culture
- Action the feedback from employee surveys
- Training for health and safety standards to be enforced
- Identification of effective mobile and other communication tools
- 3 900 participants in graduate recruitment programmes
- Concluded scheduled wage negotiations without strike action
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Communities, including community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations |
| Nature of engagement – Direct engagement by decentralised business operations with local
communities and organisations with regards to community upliftment, particular projects
and specific needs |
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Key issues raised
- Improving the lives of those in the communities
- Use expertise to give back to communities
- Local procurement and employment
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Our response
- Maintain our three-tier CSI strategy:
- Corporate office supports a number of overarching worthy causes
- Divisions support their own flagship projects
- Individual businesses support community-based projects
- Run industry-specific training programmes to equip communities for a sustainable future
- R81 million spend on, and 771 967 hours dedicated to, CSI
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Government and governing bodies |
| Nature of engagement – Submissions; Meetings and representation on industry bodies |
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Key issues raised
- Ongoing compliance with regulatory frameworks and good governance
- Tender processes and adjudication
- Local procurement and employment
- Fishing quotas in Namibia
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Our response
- Maintain sound governance policies and procedures
- Constructive engagement with various tender boards
- Introduce local partners and procurement elements in various contracts
- Engage with various authorities in Namibia
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Partners and potential partners |
| Nature of engagement – International, regional and industry contacts; Market intelligence,
focused on leaders in specific niche areas where Bidvest sees growth opportunities |
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Key issues raised
- Scope for complementary growth
- Prospects for entry into new markets
- Potential to better serve existing customers by forming
an alliance or a relationship, thereby anticipating
emerging needs
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Our response
- Constant evaluation of market developments, new technologies and solutions
- Communication with brand principals, industry leaders and entrepreneurs
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Customers |
| Nature of engagement – Monitor call centres; Independent complaint channels;
Bidvest website and other social media channels; Direct calls to divisional CE; Customer visits, feedback
from sales representatives and client relations teams |
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Key issues raised
- Compliance to a customer centric ethos
- Customers increasingly demand “smart green solutions” across all products and geographies
- Increasingly complex and value-sensitive business environment
- Retain and grow key customers
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Our response
- Meet and exceed customer needs and expectations through innovative solutions and broader product ranges
- Focus on key senior relationships with strategic customers
- Implemented energy saving projects across the Group resulted in cost savings
- Regular customer communication
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Suppliers |
| Nature of engagement – Communication with key suppliers on market trends and requirements,
as well as product innovations |
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Key issues raised
- Clear communication channels supporting accurate and
timely information to all parties
- Joint pursuit of efficiencies
- Long-term sustainable support of small and/or
black-owned supplier companies
- Financial and operational challenges faced by
certain suppliers
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Our response
- Establish alternative supply channels
- Engage with suppliers on product innovation
- Maintain supportive relationships with small and/or black business to ensure their sustainability
- Continued efforts to streamline logistics chain
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