MANUFACTURING WWW.BUSINESSMEDIAMAGS.CO.ZA
APRIL 2021
INNOVATIONS TO FUTURE-PROOF INDUSTRY INSIDE: TEXTILES I SAFETY WEAR I AUTOMOTIVE I PERSONAL HYGIENE
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ENGAGED AND INFORMED When it comes to employee health and safety during a pandemic, TFG has found that communication is key
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mployee safety, welfare and documents in one secure and morale have been place, and HR-related concerns and more important than ever questions could be addressed via a over the past year, with dedicated app. businesses working hard “Especially during the early and to support their staff through most critical phases of the lockdown, challenging times. there were weekly updates sent out Senta “The key to keeping all our by TFG’s CEO Anthony Thunström, Morley employees engaged, informed both to address critical issues and to and motivated has been reassure employees,” says Morley. constant communication via multiple channels,” “We also ran a series of ‘Thankful Thursday’ says TFG group director Senta Morley. campaigns during which we shared good news A COVID-19 multifunctional task team was stories to lift sentiments.” formed upfront, and regular meetings were held to ensure that all employees were aware of the different measures taken to ensure their safety. TFG launched a COVID-19 portal for employees to access communication, policies – SENTA MORLEY, GROUP DIRECTOR, TFG
Morley says employee safety comes first, with COVID-19 health and safety training accessible through TFG’s intranet portal, the app and kiosks in manufacturing plants., as well as printed booklets for those not comfortable with digital training. “In addition, our wholly owned Prestige Clothing factories in Caledon and Maitland have an in-house radio station – Radio Prestige – where education and information was constantly being shared. We also shared educational COVID-19 videos with employees through our extensive WhatsApp networks set up for ease of communication.” TFG has partnered with INCON, its wellness provider, to assist all employees with COVID-19 support. “This includes a 24/7 helpline which provides counselling and emotional support during these challenging times,” concludes Morley.
“The key to keeping our employees engaged, informed and motivated has been constant communication via multiple channels.”
American Swiss has partnered with Kwame Diamonds to introduce a diamond that’s a cut above the rest
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f diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend, then why aren’t there more female diamond cutters? That might’ve been the question on the lips of sisters Jo Mathole and Khomotso Ramodipa back in 2008 when they established their diamond-cutting business, Kwame Diamonds.
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FULL TRANSPARENCY But the relationship has been about more than just creating a uniquely cut stone. “If you buy a diamond in South Africa today, it’s difficult to get clarity on where it was mined,” says Naidoo. American Swiss follows the Kimberley Process, certifying their diamonds as “conflict-free”, but some customers want further clarity on provenance. These answers aren’t always easy to provide. “When Jo and Khomotso came onto the scene, they provided the answer,” says Naidoo. “They said they would mine and cut the diamonds for us, giving us transparency along the supply chain. In theory, a customer could come to us and ask for a particular diamond, then track Shani Naidoo its progress from mine to finger in real-time.” American Swiss is launching the Ocean Flower with its annual diamond promotion in July. “For the customer who wants something unique, in its year of launch, we think the Ocean Flower will be extremely special.”
“IF YOU LOOK AT THE DIAMOND FROM BELOW IT LOOKS LIKE A FLOWER, AND FROM ABOVE, LIKE A STAR.” –
SHANI NAIDOO, GROUP DIRECTOR, AMERICAN SWISS
IMAGES: ISTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED
FROM MINE TO FINGER
Fast forward a decade or so, and a different question was on the lips of American Swiss: how could they create a uniquely South African diamond, one that hadn’t travelled through many lands to be cut for their customers? “We were looking for a team who could mine, cut and manufacture diamonds locally,” explains American Swiss group director Shani Naidoo. “When we met Jo and Khomotso, there was an instant connection. It felt like meeting people with the same objectives.” Naidoo says the Kwame Diamonds story resonated with them. “We learned they were mining in Alexander Bay. Those are alluvial diamonds – they are deposited into the alluvial plains where the Orange River meets the ocean and they have amazing clarity.” The sisters said they could do a unique cut for American Swiss and the relationship began to grow, says Naidoo. “Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets, but we asked them to develop a unique cut. We ended up with 67 facets – and if you look at the diamond from below it looks like a flower, and from above, like a star. This is why we decided to name it the Ocean Flower diamond – now a registered American Swiss proprietary cut.”
MANUFAC TURING
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