Retail Services News South Africa

Eveready scoops Proudly South African Homegrown Award

South Africa's only battery manufacturer, Eveready, won the Manufacturer of the Year award at the third annual Proudly South African Homegrown Awards, which were held in Johannesburg at the end of May.

Organised by Proudly South African (PSA) and main sponsor, Wesbank, the Homegrown Awards recognise and promote South African companies, products and services that play an invaluable role in creating employment opportunities and accelerating economic growth in the country. Innovation and quality, a progressive Proudly South African mindset, at least 50% local content and stringent labour and environmental practices are just some of the criteria each participant has to meet in order to enter the awards.

As a first-time entry, Eveready won the award in the corporate category, facing stiff competition from the likes of Gud Filters, Galaxy & Company Manufacturing Jewellers, Altech UEC and Seating.

“It is the first year that we have been awarded such a prestigious distinction, and one we hope to emulate in the future” said the company's MD Avijit Das. “It is an outstanding achievement to be given such high-profile recognition as it shows our commitment to superior products and services, our dedication to the people who work in our organisation and the sound business, environmental and ethical standards to which we adhere.”

The Homegrown award follows hot on the heels of the annual Deloitte/FM Best Company to Work For survey which placed Eveready as the 8th best company in South Africa for 2006. The survey is made up primarily of employee's interviews and opinions from a range of companies nationwide.

Eveready, established in 1937 and based in Port Elizabeth, is the only manufacturer of dry cell batteries in South Africa and is the battery market leader in terms of both volume and value.

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